Bumblebees Breathe Underwater: Scientists Reveal Secret

Queen bumblebees have demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to survive underwater for extended periods, with new research revealing how they achieve this feat. During their six-to-nine-month hibernation-like phase, known as diapause, queen bees reside in underground burrows that are susceptible to waterlogging from rain and snowmelt.

Recent studies have shown that these insects can remain submerged for up to a week. Scientists discovered that during diapause, queen bumblebees significantly reduce their metabolism by 99%. While underwater, their metabolism slows even further, and they supplement their oxygen consumption with anaerobic respiration, a process also used by humans during intense physical activity.

Researchers hypothesize that bumblebees may employ a 'physical gill' adaptation. This involves a thin layer of air surrounding the bee, facilitating oxygen intake from the water and carbon dioxide release. This adaptation is particularly surprising given that bumblebees are not typically associated with aquatic lifestyles.

This discovery challenges previous understandings of insect overwintering strategies and opens new research pathways. The ability to survive flooding is likely an ancient adaptation that has persisted through evolutionary history, given the species' origins in cold environments with significant snowmelt.